Business Grants, Funding and advice
DECC Guide to implementing Energy Savings Opportunities
Undertaking ESOS audits is intended to help businesses to identify opportunities to save energy – DECC analysis suggests that businesses could save over £250m (and 3TWh of energy) per year if they achieve just 5% of the cost-effective energy efficiency potential that audits should identify for buildings and industrial processes and modest savings on their transport energy consumption.
This guide provides an overview of the steps businesses can take to maximise the impact of their ESOS assessment. It will help organisations follow best practice around the implementation of energy saving opportunities. This guide is particularly aimed at smaller ESOS participants, including those who may have less experience in implementing energy savings and/or may not employ a dedicated energy manager. However, the information in this guide may also be helpful to organisations with previous experience of implementing energy saving opportunities. It may also be helpful to organisations that have identified energy saving opportunities independently of ESOS.
This guide provides an overview of the steps businesses can take to maximise the impact of their ESOS assessment. It will help organisations follow best practice around the implementation of energy saving opportunities. This guide is particularly aimed at smaller ESOS participants, including those who may have less experience in implementing energy savings and/or may not employ a dedicated energy manager. However, the information in this guide may also be helpful to organisations with previous experience of implementing energy saving opportunities. It may also be helpful to organisations that have identified energy saving opportunities independently of ESOS.
British Gas Energy Efficiency Fund
The British Gas Energy Efficiency Fund is designed to help micro-businesses manage their energy costs in the long-term, by providing free expert advice and energy efficiency measures.
Eligible businesses will receive a free on-site energy survey, as well as fully-funded installations of energy saving measures valued up to £6,000 per business, helping you save money on your energy bill.
Site surveys will be carried out by trained professionals and will identify the right range of measures that can be delivered at your site – this could include new LED lighting, a boiler replacement, new insulation or other methods to control your energy use.
A micro-business is defined as a company with:
Eligible businesses will receive a free on-site energy survey, as well as fully-funded installations of energy saving measures valued up to £6,000 per business, helping you save money on your energy bill.
Site surveys will be carried out by trained professionals and will identify the right range of measures that can be delivered at your site – this could include new LED lighting, a boiler replacement, new insulation or other methods to control your energy use.
A micro-business is defined as a company with:
- an annual consumption of electricity of not more than 100,000 kWh (estimated £10,000 electricity spend) or
- an annual consumption of gas of not more than 293,000 kWh (estimated £9,000 gas spend) or
- Fewer than 10 employees (or their full time equivalent); and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total not exceeding €2 million.
Carbon Trust Smart SMEs
Online support and resources for small and medium-sized organisations, together with practical advice and solutions to help SMEs identify and implement actions to reduce their energy overheads and improve their bottom line. Sign up to the Carbon Trust's SME Carbon Network today for free energy saving advice.
Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme
The ECA scheme means that a business can invest in energy-saving plant or machinery that might otherwise be too expensive.
The first year allowances let businesses set 100% of the cost of the assets against taxable profits in a single tax year. This means the company can write off the cost of the new plant or machinery against the business’s taxable profits in the financial year the purchase was made.
An ECA is claimed through a business’s income or corporation tax return in the same way as any other capital allowance. HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for the tax-related aspects of the ECA scheme.
The first year allowances let businesses set 100% of the cost of the assets against taxable profits in a single tax year. This means the company can write off the cost of the new plant or machinery against the business’s taxable profits in the financial year the purchase was made.
An ECA is claimed through a business’s income or corporation tax return in the same way as any other capital allowance. HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for the tax-related aspects of the ECA scheme.
Grants for Eco Innovation
Grants for Eco Innovation helps small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that have developed a product or service that has a low environmental impact, or business process which achieves a more efficient use or resources or materials. Products, services or process which are market ready will be supported with a match funded grant of up to £3,000 to help pay for pushing the product into the market and accelerating growth.
Potential activities that can be funded include the use of marketing and web development agencies, sales agents and trade shows. Grants are open to SMEs across the South East of England (excluding London).
Businesses are focusing more and more on green credentials, the environment and sustainability, now is the time to place your product in the market!
Hurry, there's only a few grants remaining.
Potential activities that can be funded include the use of marketing and web development agencies, sales agents and trade shows. Grants are open to SMEs across the South East of England (excluding London).
Businesses are focusing more and more on green credentials, the environment and sustainability, now is the time to place your product in the market!
Hurry, there's only a few grants remaining.
Low Carbon Workspaces
Low Carbon Workspaces helps small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) identify opportunities to reduce energy usage by offering a match funded grant of up to £5,000 to help pay for the installation of energy efficiency solutions. Potential activities that can be funded by the grant include; energy efficient lighting, cavity and solid wall insulation, efficient boilers, waste heat recovery and double glazing. Grants are open to SMEs across the South East of England (excluding London).
All Grants have now been awarded but contact Low Carbon Workspaces to go on their waiting list.
All Grants have now been awarded but contact Low Carbon Workspaces to go on their waiting list.
Sustainable Routes
Sustainable Routes offers a grant of £1,000 to help businesses cut travel. The grant is match-funded, and available to all SMEs in the South East of England.
All Grants have now been awarded but contact Sustainable Routes to go on their waiting list.
Here are a few examples of how the grant has been used by SMEs:
All Grants have now been awarded but contact Sustainable Routes to go on their waiting list.
Here are a few examples of how the grant has been used by SMEs:
- Laptops for employees to work remotely
- Server upgrade to support remote working
- Bicycles, storage and showers to encourage active travel
- LPG vehicle conversions
